The rectum and prostate are in close proximity, which means during radiation therapy for prostate cancer the rectum may also be affected by radiation, potentially leading to issues with bowel function or other side effects.¹ SpaceOAR Hydrogel is a polyethylene glycol (PEG) based absorbable hydrogel that temporarily creates space between the prostate and rectum. SpaceOAR Hydrogel is designed to reduce the radiation dose to the rectum and may help minimize the side effects of radiation therapy.²

SpaceOAR Hydrogel is an FDA-cleared medical device made mostly of water and polyethylene glycol (PEG) that, when combined, form a soft gel-like synthetic material.² PEG is a material commonly used in other medical products.² You should discuss any known allergies you may have to the SpaceOAR Hydrogel ingredients with your doctor.

More than 500 cancer centers around the world purchase SpaceOAR Hydrogel, with 220,000 patients to date and growing.*²

Ask your doctor about SpaceOAR Hydrogel or find a doctor near you who offers SpaceOAR Hydrogel with our Find a Doctor Tool.

By acting as a spacer, the hydrogel temporarily moves the rectum on average a half inch (1.3 cm) away from the prostate.^2,3 By separating the prostate from the rectum, SpaceOAR Hydrogel is designed to reduce the radiation dose delivered to the rectum and may help minimize the side effects of radiation therapy.³

SpaceOAR Hydrogel can be implanted as an outpatient procedure in a hospital, surgery center, outpatient clinic, or doctor’s office prior to the start of radiation treatment.² On average, the procedure itself is about 30 minutes.⁴

SpaceOAR Hydrogel is injected as a liquid through a needle inserted between the rectum and the prostate.² It can be implanted via a local anesthetic that will numb the injection area or under general anesthesia that will put a patient to sleep during the procedure.³ SpaceOAR Hydrogel stays in place for about 3 months and is naturally absorbed into the body and removed through urine in about 6 months.²